Composite cable

ABSTRACT

A composite cable that enables to easily restrain falling-off of separator dust at the time of peeling off a sheath, in comparison with composite cables in the conventional art. The composite cable includes a plurality of wires, a separator that covers the outer circumference of the plurality of wires all together, a sheath that covers the outer circumference of the separator, and an inclusion that is interposed between the separator and the sheath. The separator has a base layer composed of a polymer and an adhesive layer formed on the surface of the base layer on the inclusion side. In the composite cable, the adhesive layer is adhered to the inclusion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composite cable.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally in the field of vehicles such as automobiles, a compositecable with a multi-core structure as described in Patent Document 1,etc. has been known in which the outer circumference of a plurality ofwires are covered with a sheath all together. In this type of compositecable, in order to prevent firm adhesion between the sheath and thewires, the outer circumference of the plurality of wires is covered alltogether with a separator formed of thin paper, and then is covered withthe sheath in some cases.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE Patent Document

Patent Document 1 JP-A-2005-166450

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, the conventional composite cable has the following problems. Ina composite cable, in general, the sheath is peeled off with a bladecutting into the sheath at the time of peeling-off the cable end portionand/or the cable intermediate portion. However, in the case of theconventional composite cable, at the time of peeling off the sheath,dust of the thin paper as the separator covering the wires scatteringlyfalls off.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and itis intended to provide a composite cable that makes it easier torestrain the falling-off of separator dust at the time of peeling offthe sheath, as compared with the conventional art.

Means for Solving the Problem

One aspect of the present invention is a composite cable including:

a plurality of wires;

a separator that covers the outer circumference of the plurality ofwires all together;

a sheath that covers the outer circumference of the separator; and

an inclusion that is interposed between the separator and the sheath,wherein

the separator has a base layer composed of a polymer and an adhesivelayer formed on the surface of the base layer on the inclusion side, and

the adhesive layer adheres to the inclusion.

Effects of the Invention

In the composite cable, the inclusion is disposed between the separatorand the sheath. Therefore, it is easy to form a cable cross section ofthe composite cable in a circular shape, and it is easy to set the depthof a blade cutting into the sheath uniform at the time of peeling-offthe cable end portion and/or the cable intermediate portion. Hence,according to the above-mentioned composite cable, the peelingworkability for the sheath can be improved. Further, in the compositecable, the separator has the base layer composed of a polymer, and theadhesive layer formed on the surface of the base layer on the inclusionside. The adhesive layer of the separator adheres to the inclusion.Therefore, when the sheath of the composite cable is peeled off, theseparator sticks to the sheath and inclusion which have been peeled off,and is taken off together therewith. For this reason, in the compositecable, it is easy to remove the separator together with the sheath andthe inclusion, and to restrain falling-off of dust of the separator incomparison with a composite cable using the separator made of thinpaper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration schematically showing a composite cableaccording to Embodiment 1 in a cross section perpendicular to the centeraxis of the cable.

FIG. 2 is an illustration schematically showing a composite cableaccording to Embodiment 2 in a cross section perpendicular to the centeraxis of the cable.

FIG. 3 is an illustration schematically showing a composite cableaccording to Embodiment 3 in a cross section perpendicular to the centeraxis of the cable.

FIG. 4 is an illustration schematically showing a composite cableaccording to Embodiment 4 in a cross section perpendicular to the centeraxis of the cable.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the composite cable, the separator has the base layer composed of apolymer, and the adhesive layer formed on the surface of the base layeron the inclusion side. As the polymer that constitutes the base layer,specifically, various types of resins may be used. More specifically,examples of the polymer can include polyester resins such aspolyethylene terephthalate, vinyl chloride resins such as polyvinylchloride, polyurethane resins, etc. As the polymer, polyester resinssuch as polyethylene terephthalate are preferably used from theviewpoints of being excellent in formability of the adhesive layer,being less likely to leave offcuts of the separator with largelydifferent sizes, heat resistance, easy availability, and so on. Here,the polymer may include one or two or more kinds of additives such as aflame retardant, a filler, an antioxidant, etc. The thickness of thebase layer may be specifically set preferably to 10 μm or more, morepreferably to 15 μm or more, and still more preferably to 20 μm or morefrom the viewpoints of ensuring the strength of the separator, hardlyleaving offcuts of the separator, and so on. The thickness of the baselayer may be specifically set preferably to 200 μm or less, morepreferably to 150 μm or less, still more preferably to 100 μm or less,and still more preferably to 50 μm or less from the viewpoints of easilyincreasing circularity of the cable, restraining a periodical unevennesson the surface of the cable, and so on.

The adhesive layer has adhesiveness to the inclusion and the base layer.It is noted that adhesion of the adhesive layer includes tacky adhesion.As a material constituting the adhesive layer, resins based on acrylicresins or elastomers, resins based on vinyl chloride-vinyl acetatecopolymers, etc. may be specifically exemplified. One, or two or morekinds of these resins may be used singly or in combination. As theresins based on acrylic resins or elastomers, ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA), SEBS, SBR,etc. may be exemplified. As a material constituting the adhesive layer,a resin based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), or vinylchloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, etc. may be preferably used from theviewpoint that the separator is easily removed together with the sheathand the inclusion and falling-off of separator dust is easilyrestrained. It is noted that the adhesive layer may be formed by surfacemodification of the surface of the base layer. The thickness of theadhesive layer may be specifically set preferably to 1 μm or more, morepreferably to 1.5 μm or more, and still more preferably to 2 μm or morefrom the viewpoints of ensuring the adhesiveness, restraining theadhesion peeling from the inclusion, and so on. The thickness of theadhesive layer may be set preferably to 30 μm or less, more preferablyto 10 μm or less, and still more preferably to 5 μm or less from theviewpoints of easily restraining adhesion between the adhesive layersticking out from the base layer and the wire, and so on.

As a material constituting the inclusion, polyolefin-based resins suchas polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA),ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA), ethylene-methyl acrylatecopolymer (EMA), etc., vinyl chloride resins such as polyvinyl chloride,fluorine resins, silicone resins, polyurethane resins, etc. may beexemplified. One, or two or more kinds of these resins may be usedsingly, or in combination, and may be crosslinked as needed. Further,the inclusion may include one or two or more kinds of additives such asa flame retardant, a filler, an antioxidant, and the like.

In the composite cable, the plurality of wires may be specificallyconfigured to include a plurality of signal lines and a plurality ofpower lines. The signal lines are wires for use in transmitting anelectrical signal. The power lines are wires for use in supplying power,such as a power supply line. According to this configuration, it ispossible to achieve a composite cable capable of restraining falling-offof dust of the separator at the time of peeling off the sheath andperforming power supply and signal transmission/reception with a singlecable.

The plurality of signal lines may be configured such that the pluralityof signal lines includes at least one twisted pair wire composed of twosignal lines twisted together, and the outer circumference of thetwisted pair wire is covered with a shield conductor. In the compositecable, the signal lines are arranged near the power lines which generateelectric noise. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the twosignal lines are less likely to be affected by electric noise becausethey are twisted together. Further, according to the above-mentionedconfiguration, the twisted pair line is less likely to be affected byelectric noise also because the twisted pair line is covered by theshield conductor. Therefore, according to the above-mentionedconfiguration, it is possible to achieve a composite cable capable ofrestraining falling-off of dust of the separator at the time of peelingoff the sheath and excellent in noise countermeasures. In addition,according to the above-mentioned configuration, because not the powerlines having outer diameters easily made larger than those of the signallines but the twisted pair line is covered with the shield conductor,the outer diameter when the wires are covered with the separator iseasily made perfectly circular. Thus, the outer diameter when theafter-mentioned inclusion has been formed on the outer circumference ofthe separator can be easily made small. For this reason, theabove-mentioned configuration makes it easy to achieve a composite cablethe diameter of which is circular and is easily reduced. Here,differently from this configuration, i.e., in the case where the powerlines are covered with the shield conductor, the outer diameter when thewires are covered with the separator is likely to be ellipticallyshaped. Therefore, it becomes necessary to surely provide the minimumthickness in the major axis direction of the ellipse to the inclusionthat covers the outer circumference part of the separator. Thus, in thiscase, when the cable is formed circular by the inclusion, the percentageof the inclusion is made large, so that the outer diameter including theinclusion is larger. Thus, this case is not preferred from the viewpointof reducing the diameter of the composite cable.

As the shield conductor, a braided wire, a metal element wire, ametallic foil body, etc. may be specifically exemplified. The shieldconductor, more specifically, may be composed of the metal element wirethat covers the outer circumference of the twisted pair line withspirally winding around the outer circumference. This configurationmakes it possible to achieve a composite cable that is capable ofrestraining falling-off of dust of the separator at the time of peelingoff the sheath and is excellent in durability of the shield conductoragainst repeated bending by shaking movement of the cable in comparisonwith the case of using the braided wire.

In the composite cable, the plurality of wires may include a ground wirein addition to the plurality of signal lines and the plurality of powerlines. According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve acomposite cable that is capable of restraining falling-off of dust ofthe separator at the time of peeling off the sheath and performing powersupply, signal transmission/reception, and grounding with a singlecable. Moreover, according to this configuration, the separator and theground wire do not stick to each other even when the ground wire isdisposed so as to be in contact with the surface of the base layer ofthe separator on the wire side. Therefore, according to thisconfiguration, because the ground wire with relatively low strength doesnot stick to the separator and is not pulled at the time of peeling offthe sheath, a composite cable in which the joined ground wire is hardlybroken can be achieved. In addition, in a conventional composite cableusing a separator made of thin paper, the thin paper may stick to theground wire in some cases. This is considered because part of thematerial constituting the inclusion permeates the thin paper whenmanufacturing the cable.

Therefore, in the case of the conventional composite cable, there is arisk that the ground wire may stick to the thin paper and get pulled atthe time of peeling off the sheath, and the ground wire may be cut.

In the above-mentioned composite cable, according to the configurationin which the outer circumference of the twisted pair line is coveredwith the shield conductor and the ground wire is provided, even in thecase where the shield conductor can be grounded at one end side of thecomposite cable but can be hardly grounded at the other end side of thecomposite cable, the composite cable can be used in such a manner thatthe shield conductor is connected to the ground wire at the other endside of the composite cable, and the ground wire is grounded at the oneend side of the composite cable. Thus, the above-mentioned configurationachieves a composite cable that is suitable for use under vehicleconditions in which grounding of the composite cable at one end sidethereof is restricted. For example, a composite cable can be achieved,which is particularly suitable for the underbody part (chassis) of avehicle such as an electric parking brake, an electric brake, etc. thatare limited in grounding on the wheel side as later described.

In the composite cable, the ground wire may be configured to be isolatedfrom the plurality of signal lines with the plurality of power linesinterposed therebetween. The ground wire is a wire that has a propertyto easily generate electric noise. According to this configuration, aphysical distance between the ground wire and the signal lines can beensured by interposing the plurality of power lines therebetween therebyto achieve a composite cable that is excellent in noise countermeasure.As described above, when the outer circumference of the signal lines iscovered with the shield conductor, not only noise reduction effectsbrought about by the shield conductor but also noise reduction effectsbrought about by the above-mentioned arrangement of the power lines, theground wire, and the signal lines, can be obtained, so that a compositecable that is further excellent in noise countermeasure can be achieved.

In the composite cable, the plurality of power lines may be configuredto include at least two power lines. In this configuration, it is madepossible to dispose the signal lines on one side from a connecting linebetween the central axes of the power lines and to dispose the groundwire on the other side from the connecting line when viewed in the cablecross section by arranging the two power lines in contact with eachother. Therefore, according to this configuration, at least two powerlines serve as a partition so that the ground wire and the plurality ofsignal lines can be disposed isolatedly from each other with no contact,and thus, there is an advantage that the above-mentioned operationaleffects can be easily exhibited. More specifically, the ground wire canbe disposed in a space enclosed by part of the surfaces of the pluralityof power lines and part of the inner circumference of the separator. Inthis case, the above-mentioned operational effects can be obtained moresurely.

In the composite cable, each of the signal lines, the power lines, andthe ground wire may be specifically configured to include a conductorand an insulator that covers the outer circumference of the conductor.Further, in the composite cable, each outer diameter of the power linesand the ground wire may be specifically configured to meet the relationof, for example, the outer diameter of the ground wire <the outerdiameter of the power line. According to this configuration, a compositecable having the ground wire easily blocked by the power lines andhardly displaced to the twisted pair line side can be achieved.

In the composite cable, as a material constituting the sheath, apolyurethane resin, a vinyl chloride resin, etc. may be exemplified. Asthe material constituting the sheath, a polyurethane resin can bepreferably used from the viewpoint of anti-damage property, abrasionresistance, and the like.

It is noted that for the purposes of adjusting the shape of the cable,and so on, the composite cable may have an inclusion inside theseparator to be disposed in a gap (space) that can be formed inside theseparator. As the inclusion inside the separator, threads (cottonthreads, etc.), cords (resin cords such as polypropylene cords, cordedpaper, etc.), rod-like members (resin rods such as polyethyleneterephthalate resin rods, etc.) may be exemplified. These may be used inone kind, or two or more kinds in combination.

The composite cable may be used, for example, in a vehicle such as anautomobile, and more specifically, may be preferably used for theunderbody (chassis) of a vehicle such as an electric parking brake or anelectric brake. This configuration makes it possible to achieve acomposite cable for use in the underbody (chassis) of a vehicle such asan electric parking brake or an electric brake, which is excellent inpeeling workability for the sheath and is capable of restrainingfalling-off of dust of the separator. In the composite cable, the powerlines may be used, for example, to supply an electric power required fordriving a motor and to supply an electric power required for variousin-vehicle devices. In addition, the signal lines may be used forvarious in-vehicle network communications such as transmission of anelectric signal concerning control of the motor, transmission of anelectric signal concerning the rotation velocity of a vehicle wheel,transmission of an electric signal of a sensor for detecting/collectingthe conditions of the vehicle by a sensor mounted on the vehicle wheeland the vicinity of the vehicle wheel, vehicle control signalcommunication, and so on.

It is noted that the above-mentioned configurations may be arbitrarilycombined with each other as needed for the purposes of obtaining theoperational effects as mentioned above, and so on.

Embodiments

Hereinafter, embodiments of the composite cable will be described withreference to the drawings. It is noted that the same components will beillustrated with the same reference numbers.

Embodiment 1

A composite cable of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference toFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a composite cable 1 of the presentembodiment includes a plurality of wires 2, a separator 3 that coversthe outer circumference of the plurality of wires 2 all together, asheath 4 that covers the outer circumference of the separator 3, and aninclusion 5 that is interposed between the separator 3 and the sheath 4.The separator 3 has a base layer 31 composed of a polymer and anadhesive layer 32 formed on the surface of the base layer 31 on theinclusion 5 side. In the composite cable 1, the adhesive layer 32adheres to the inclusion 5. The details will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of wires 2 includes a pluralityof signal lines 21, a plurality of power lines 22, and a ground wire 23.The plurality of wires 2 is composed of the plurality of signal lines21, the plurality of power lines 22, and the ground wire 23 which aretwisted together as a unit. FIG. 1 shows an example in which theplurality of wires 2 is made up of two signal lines 21, two power lines22 and one ground wire 23. The two signal lines 21 are configured as atwisted pair line by twisting together with each other. The outercircumference of the twisted pair line is covered with a shieldconductor 6. It is noted that, in FIG. 1, the dotted line surroundingthe two signal lines 21 indicates the outer diameter of the twisted pairline. In addition, the ground wire 23 is isolated from the twisted pairline composed of the two signal lines 21 with the two power lines 22interposed therebetween. Therefore, the ground wire 23 is not in contactwith the two signal lines 21. And, the ground wire 23 is arranged so asto be in contact with the separator 3. Here, a gap 7 is formed betweenthe plurality of wires 2 and the separator 3.

In the present embodiment, each signal line 21 includes conductors 211and an insulator 212 that covers the outer circumference of theconductors 211. Each conductor 211 is composed of a stranded wireconductor formed by twisting a plurality of child stranded wires formedof a plurality of metal element wires twisted together. The metalelement wires may be formed of, for example, copper or a copper alloy,or aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The insulator 212 may be formed of,for example, cross-linked polyethylene (PE) or the like.

In the present embodiment, the shield conductor 6 is composed of a metalelement wire that covers the outer circumference of the twisted pairline by spirally winding therearound. The metal element wire may beformed of, for example, copper or a copper alloy, or aluminum or analuminum alloy.

In the present embodiment, each power line 22 includes conductors 221and an insulator 222 that covers the outer circumference of theconductors 221. Each conductor 221 is composed of a stranded wireconductor formed by twisting a plurality of child stranded wires formedof a plurality of metal element wires twisted together. The metalelement wires may be formed of, for example, copper or a copper alloy,or aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The insulator 222 may be formed of,for example, cross-linked polyethylene (PE) or the like.

In the present embodiment, the ground wire 23 includes a conductor 231and an insulator 232 that covers the outer circumference of theconductor 231. The conductor 231 is composed of a stranded wireconductor formed by twisting a plurality of metal element wires. Themetal element wires may be formed of, for example, copper or a copperalloy, or aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The insulator 232 is formed of,for example, cross-linked polyethylene (PE) or the like.

In the present embodiment, the base layer 31 of the separator 3 may beformed of, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like.The adhesive layer 32 of the separator 3 may be formed of, for example,an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) or the like.

In the present embodiment, the inclusion 5 may be formed of, forexample, cross-linked polyethylene (PE).

In the present embodiment, the sheath 4 may be formed of, for example, apolyurethane resin (PU) or the like.

Next, operational effects of the composite cable according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

In the composite cable 1 of the present embodiment, the inclusion 5 isdisposed between the separator 3 and the sheath 4. Therefore, the crosssection of the composite cable 1 can be easily formed in a circularshape, and the depth of a blade cutting into the sheath can be easilyset uniform at the time of peeling-off the cable end portion and/or thecable intermediate portion. Thus, the composite cable 1 of the presentembodiment makes it possible to improve peeling-off workability for thesheath 4. In the composite cable 1 of the present embodiment, theseparator 3 has the base layer 31 composed of a polymer, and theadhesive layer 32 formed on the surface of the base layer 31 on theinclusion 5 side. The adhesive layer 32 of the separator 3 adheres tothe inclusion 5. Therefore, when the sheath of the composite cable 1 ofthe present embodiment is peeled off, the separator 3 sticks to thesheath 4 and inclusion 5 which have been peeled off, and is taken offtogether therewith. Thus, in the composite cable 1 of the presentembodiment, it is easy to remove the separator 3 together with thesheath 4 and the inclusion 5, and to restrain falling-off of dust of theseparator in comparison with a composite cable using the separator madeof thin paper.

Embodiment 2

A composite cable of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference toFIG. 2. In a composite cable 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality ofwires 2 includes a plurality of signal lines 21 and a plurality of powerlines 22, and does not include a ground wire 23. FIG. 2 showsspecifically an example in which the plurality of wires 2 are made up oftwo signal lines 21 and two power lines 22. The other configurations arethe same as those in Embodiment 1.

The same operational effects as those in Embodiment 1 can be obtained bythe composite cable 1 of the present embodiment.

Embodiment 3

A composite cable of Embodiment 3 will be described with reference toFIG. 3. In a composite cable 1 of the present embodiment, a shieldconductor 6 is not provided on the outer circumference of the twistedpair line that is composed of the two signal lines 21. The otherconfigurations are the same as those in Embodiment 2.

The same operational effects as those in Embodiment 1 can be obtained bythe composite cable 1 of the present embodiment.

Embodiment 4

A composite cable of Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG.4. In a composite cable 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality ofwires 2 includes two twisted pair lines each composed of two signallines 21 twisted together. FIG. 4 specifically shows an example in whichthe plurality of wires 2 includes four signal lines 21, two power lines22, and one ground wire 23. Two signal lines 21 among the four signallines 21 are twisted together to form a twisted pair line, and the othertwo signal lines 21 are also twisted together to form another twistedpair line. Each twisted pair line has the outer circumference coveredwith a shield conductor 6. Here, the ground wire 23 is isolated fromeach twisted pair line with the power lines 22 interposed therebetween.

In the present embodiment, the shield conductor 6 is composed of abraided wire. The braided wire is formed of a plurality of metal elementwires braided together. The metal element wires may be formed of, forexample, copper or a copper alloy, or aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Theother configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

The same operational effects as those in Embodiment 1 can be obtained bythe composite cable 1 of the present embodiment.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, the composite cable will be more specifically describedwith reference to an experimental example.

Experimental Example 1

Composite cables configured as shown in Table 1 were prepared.

Sample 1, Sample 2

One twisted pair line having the outer circumference covered with ashield conductor, two power lines, and one ground wire were twistedtogether so as to form a core wire structure as shown in FIG. 1. Andthen, the outer circumference of the core wire was covered by aseparator. Here, the separator was provided such that the adhesive layerwas set to be an outer circumference. Then, by extrusion molding, theouter circumference of the separator was covered by an inclusionextruded thereon circularly. Then, by extrusion molding, the outercircumference of the inclusion was covered by a sheath extruded thereon.Thus, the composite cables of Sample 1 and Sample 2 were obtained.

Sample 3, Sample 4

One twisted pair line having the outer circumference covered with ashield conductor, and two power lines were twisted together so as toform a core wire structure as shown in FIG. 2. And then, the outercircumference of the core wire was covered by a separator. Here, theseparator was provided such that the adhesive layer was set to be anouter circumference. Then, by extrusion molding, the outer circumferenceof the separator was covered by an inclusion extruded thereoncircularly. Then, by extrusion molding, the outer circumference of theinclusion was covered by a sheath extruded thereon. Thus, the compositecables of Sample 3 and Sample 4 were obtained.

Sample 5, Sample 6

One twisted pair line having the outer circumference not covered with ashield conductor, and two power lines were twisted together so as toform a core wire structure as shown in FIG. 3. And then, the outercircumference of the core wire was covered by a separator. Here, theseparator was provided such that the adhesive layer was set to be anouter circumference. Then, by extrusion molding, the outer circumferenceof the separator was covered by an inclusion extruded thereoncircularly. Then, by extrusion molding, the outer circumference of theinclusion was covered by a sheath extruded thereon. Thus, the compositecables of Sample 5 and Sample 6 were obtained.

TABLE 1 Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5 Sample 6Cross-sectional Structure of Cable FIG. 1 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 2 FIG. 3FIG. 3 Power Line Conductor Configuration Number/Number/mm 7/72/0.087/72/0.08 7/72/0.08 7/72/0.08 7/72/0.08 7/72/0.08 Type of — Copper AlloyWire Copper Alloy Wire Copper Alloy Wire Copper Alloy Wire Copper AlloyWire Copper Alloy Wire Element Wire Size mm² 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5Outer Diameter Approximately 2.4 Approximately 2.4 Approximately 2.4Approximately 2.4 Approximately 2.4 Approximately 2.4 Insulator Material— Flame-retardant Flame-retardant Flame-retardant Flame-retardantFlame-retardant Flame-retardant Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PECrosslinked PE Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE OuterDiameter mm 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 Signal Line Conductor ConfigurationNumber/Number/mm 3/16/0.08 3/16/0.08 3/16/0.08 3/16/0.08 3/16/0.083/16/0.08 Type of — Copper Alloy Wire Copper Alloy Wire Copper AlloyWire Copper Alloy Wire Copper Alloy Wire Copper Alloy Wire Element WireSize mm²  0.25  0.25  0.25  0.25  0.25  0.25 Outer Diameter mmApproximately 0.8 Approximately 0.8 Approximately 0.8 Approximately 0.8Approximately 0.8 Approximately 0.8 Insulator Material — Flame-retardantFlame-retardant Flame-retardant Flame-retardant Flame-retardantFlame-retardant Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE CrosslinkedPE Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE Outer Diameter mm 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.22.2 Stranding Core Number Core 2   2   2   2   2   2   Outer Diameter mm4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 Shield Conductor Form — Spirally-wound BraidedCopper Alloy Spirally-wound Braided Copper Alloy — — Copper Alloy CopperAlloy Outer Diameter mm Approximately 4.6 Approximately 4.9Approximately 4.6 Approximately 4.9 Ground Wire Conductor ConfigurationNumber/mm 60/0.08 60/0.08 — — — — Type of — Copper Alloy Wire CopperAlloy Wire Element Wire Size mm² 0.3 0.3 Outer Diameter mm Approximately0.7 Approximately 0.7 Insulator Material — Flame-retardantFlame-retardant Crossliked PE Crossliked PE Outer Diameter mm  1.45 1.45 Separator Base Layer Material — PET PET PET PET PET PET Thicknessμm 10   20   25   50   25   100    Adhesive Layer Material — EVA EVA EVAEVA EVA EVA Thickness μm 1   3   3   10   5   30   Material —Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE Crosslinked PE CrosslinkedPE Crosslinked PE Inclusion Outer Diameter mm 10.3  10.7  10.4  10.7 10.2  10.4  Sheath Material — Flame-retardant Flame-retardantFlame-retardant Flame-retardant Flame-retardant Flame-retardantCrosslinked PU Crosslinked PU Crosslinked PU Crosslinked PU CrosslinkedPU Crosslinked PU Outer Diameter mm 11.5  11.9  11.6  11.9  11.4  11.6 (Note 1) “Number/Number/mm” means “Number of child stranded wires in astranded wire/Number of element wires in a child stranded wire/Diameterof an element wire (mm)”. “Number/mm” means “Number of element wires ina stranded wire/Diameter of an element wire (mm)”.

Next, as a representative for the composite cables of Samples 1 to 6,the composite cable of Sample 1 was adopted. Then, 30 composite cablesof Sample 1 were prepared. In addition, further 30 composite cables wereprepared as comparative samples in the same manner as in Sample 1 exceptthat the separator was made of pulp paper with a thickness of 0.05 mm.

For each sample cable, a cable cut-off test and a sheath peel-off testwere conducted using a fully automatic wire cutting and peeling machine(“Casting C377A” manufactured by KODERA Electronic Co., Ltd.). Thestandard value of cable cutting length was set to 1000 mm, and sheathpeeling-off length was set to 35 mm and 40 mm as two conditions. Theresults are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Cable Cutting Sheath Peeling- Sheath Peeling- Length (mm) offLength (mm) off Length (mm) Condition 1000 35 40 Upper Limit 1002 37 42Lower Limit 998 33 38 Test No. 1 1000 35 40 2 999 36 41 3 1001 36 40 41000 36 40 5 1000 36 40 6 1000 36 40 7 1000 36 41 8 1000 36 40 9 1001 3640 10 1001 35 40 11 1001 36 40 12 1001 36 40 13 1000 36 40 14 1001 36 4015 1001 36 40 16 1000 35 40 17 1000 36 40 18 1000 36 40 19 1000 35 41 201000 36 40 21 999 35 40 22 1001 36 40 23 1000 36 41 24 1000 36 40 251000 36 40 26 1000 36 40 27 1001 36 41 28 1000 36 41 29 1001 35 40 301000 35 40 Average Value 1000 35.8 40.2 Maximum Value 1001 36 41 MinimumValue 999 35 40

As shown in the results of Table 2, it was confirmed that the cablecutting length and the sheath peeling-off length were not adverselyaffected by the configuration in which the separator is constituted ofthe base layer and the adhesive layer.

Next, a generation degree of the separator dust and a generation degreeof cut-off piece residue of the separator in the above-mentioned testswere checked.

As the result, the number of the composite cables as the comparativesamples in which separator dust (paper dust in the present example) wasgenerated was 30 out of a total of 30. By contrast, the number of thecomposite cables of Sample 1 in which separator dust was generated was 0out of a total of 30. This result revealed that falling-off of theseparator dust generated at the time of peeling off the sheath can berestrained more easily by constituting the separator by the base layercomposed of a polymer and the adhesive layer formed on the surface ofthe base layer on the inclusion side, as compared with the conventionalarts. This is because when the sheath was peeled off, the separatorstuck to the sheath and inclusion, which had been peeled off, and wastaken off together therewith, so that the separator could be removedtogether with the sheath and the inclusion.

Meanwhile, the number of the composite cables as the comparative samplesin which residue of the cut-off separator pieces was generated was 16out of a total of 30. By contrast, the number of the composite cables ofSample 1 in which residue of the cut-off separator pieces was generatedwas 14 out of a total of 30. Moreover, as for the shape of the cut-offseparator piece(s), uneven cut-off pieces of various sizes were found inthe composite cables as the comparative samples. By contrast, in thecomposite cables of Sample 1, the cut-off pieces of the separator havethe size of 2 to 3 mm at most, which was in the allowable range in amass-production process. Furthermore, in the composite cables of Sample1, it was confirmed that the cut-off pieces of the separator could beremoved at the time of removing the sheath. These results revealed thatthe separator constituted by the base layer and the adhesive layer couldeasily avoid leaving various size of cut-off pieces, which would occurin the case of the separator composed of papers.

Also in the case where the thickness of the base layer was set in therange of 10 to 200 μm and the thickness of the adhesive layer was set inthe range of 1 to 50 μm in the configuration of the composite cable ofSample 1, the same results were obtained. It is noted that when thethickness of the base layer was less than the above-mentioned range, thebase layer is likely to be broken to thereby deteriorate productivity.In addition, the end(s) of the separator was/were shredded in somecases. When the thickness of the base layer was larger than theabove-mentioned range, the winding diameter became larger owing to thereaction force of the separator, and there was found the tendency thatthe circularity of the cable would be reduced. Moreover, in some cases,periodical unevenness occurred on the surface of the cable. When thethickness of the adhesive layer was thinner than the above-mentionedrange, there was found the tendency that the adhesion peeling of theadhesive layer from the inclusion would occur. When the thickness of theadhesive layer was larger than the above-mentioned range, there wasfound the tendency that the adhesive layer would be stuck out of thebase layer and adhered to the wire to thereby deteriorate theprocessability. Thus, it was confirmed that the thickness of the baselayer and the thickness of the adhesive layer are preferably set withinthe above-mentioned range for these reasons.

As mentioned above, although the embodiments of the present inventionhave been described in detail, the present invention is not limited tothe above-mentioned embodiments and experimental examples, and variousmodifications can be made within the scope that does not depart from thespirit of the present invention.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A composite cable for use in an electric brakecomprising: a plurality of wires; a separator that covers an outercircumference of the plurality of wires all together; a sheath thatcovers an outer circumference of the separator; and an inclusion that isinterposed between the separator and the sheath, wherein the pluralityof wires includes a plurality of signal lines, a plurality of powerlines, and a ground wire, the plurality of signal lines includes atleast one twisted pair wire composed of two signal lines twistedtogether, the plurality of power lines includes at least two power linesthat are arranged in contact with each other, the ground wire isdisposed in a space enclosed by part of the surfaces of the plurality ofpower lines and part of the inner circumference of the separator, and isisolated from the plurality of signal lines with the plurality of powerlines interposed therebetween, the separator has a base layer composedof a polymer and an adhesive layer formed on a surface of the base layeron the inclusion side, and the adhesive layer adheres to the inclusion.7. The composite cable according to claim 6, wherein the ground wire isin contact with a surface of the base layer on the wire side.
 8. Thecomposite cable according to claim 6, wherein an outer circumference ofthe twisted pair wire is covered with a shield conductor.
 9. Thecomposite cable according to claim 7, wherein an outer circumference ofthe twisted pair wire is covered with a shield conductor.
 10. Thecomposite cable according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of the baselayer is 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and the thickness of theadhesive layer is 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less.
 11. The compositecable according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of the base layer is10 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and the thickness of the adhesivelayer is 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less.
 12. The composite cableaccording to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the base layer is 10 μmor more and 200 μm or less, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is 1μm or more and 30 μm or less.
 13. The composite cable according to claim9, wherein the thickness of the base layer is 10 μm or more and 200 μmor less, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is 1 μm or more and 30μm or less.
 14. The composite cable according to claim 6, wherein thebase layer is composed of polyethylene terephthalate, and the adhesivelayer is composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
 15. The compositecable according to claim 7, wherein the base layer is composed ofpolyethylene terephthalate, and the adhesive layer is composed ofethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
 16. The composite cable according toclaim 8, wherein the base layer is composed of polyethyleneterephthalate, and the adhesive layer is composed of ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer.
 17. The composite cable according to claim 9, whereinthe base layer is composed of polyethylene terephthalate, and theadhesive layer is composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
 18. Thecomposite cable according to claim 10, wherein the base layer iscomposed of polyethylene terephthalate, and the adhesive layer iscomposed of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
 19. The composite cableaccording to claim 11, wherein the base layer is composed ofpolyethylene terephthalate, and the adhesive layer is composed ofethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
 20. The composite cable according toclaim 12, wherein the base layer is composed of polyethyleneterephthalate, and the adhesive layer is composed of ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer.
 21. The composite cable according to claim 13,wherein the base layer is composed of polyethylene terephthalate, andthe adhesive layer is composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.